Recoil-gun.



M. HERMSDORP.

REGOIL GUN.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1909.

Patented Sept. 12,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M. HERMSDORF.

REGOIL GUN. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 19, 1909.

Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PLANDGRAPH CO-,WASHINOTON D c M. HERMSDOBF.

REGOIL GUN.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 19, 1909.

Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

3 BHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNiTE s'ra rns A MAX HERMSDORF, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY, ASSIGNORT0 FRIED. KRUPP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, OF ESSEN-ON-THE-RUHR, GERMANY.

BECOIL-GUN.

T r all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAX HERMSDORF, a subject of the Emperor of Germany,and a resident of 16 Goethestrasse, Essen-on-the- Ruhr, Germany, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Recoil-Guns, of whichthe following is a specification.

The present invention relates to the type ofrecoil guns which isprovided with an accumulator for the automatic movement of the breechblock.

The main feature of the invention consists in having a part of theaccumulator arranged in such a manner on the gunbarrel that when thegun-barrel moves after firing the action of the inertia causes the partof the accumulator to carry out a moyement relative to the gun-barrel bywhich movement tension is imparted to the accumulator. In this manner itis unnecessary to provide special tensioning devlces which connect theaccumulator with a part of the gun not partaking of the recoil andcounter-recoil of the gun-barrel.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention is, by way of example, shownap plied to spring-accumulators for the auto matic opening and closingof the wedgeclosure of a gun.

Figu of the parts of the gun to which the invention relates, the gunbeing in the firing position and the closure being closed; Fig. 2 is atop view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear view of Fig. 1, partly in sectionon the line 33, Fig. 1; Fig. 1 is a section on line 14, Fig. 1, lookingfrom the right; Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to that shown inFig. 1, and showing the parts in the position which they assume when thegun-barrel has carried out a part of the recoil movement. Fig. 6 is atop View of Fig. 5, partly in section on line 66, Fig. 5, and, Figs. 7to 9 are three side views, partly in section, of the opened gunclosures, showing the parts of the closure in different positions.

The gun-barrel A, which through the medium of its horn a is connectedwith a recoil-brake and a recuperator, is mounted to slide in the cradleB. The recoil-brake and the recuperator, which are not shown in thedrawings, may be of any suitable known construction.

The closure of the gun-barrel is formed Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 19, 1909.

re 1 is a side view, partly in section,,

Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

Serial No. 508,267.

by a breech block G which is vertically slidable in the breech of thegun-barrel. The closure is opened and closed by means of two operatinglevers D (see especially Fig. 3) which are rigidly secured on a hollowshaft E journaled in the breech on the gunbarrel and which are providedwith heartshaped lugs d which engage in curved grooves c in the breechblock. A bolt F (Fig. 1) which is located in the breech of thegun-barrel projects into a groove 0 in the breech-block and limits theopening movement of the breech block (Fig. 8). On a shaft m which isjournaled in the breech of the gun-barrel, is mounted a bifurcatedejector M which is provided with noses m which are capable ofcooperating with shoulders 0 on the breech-block in such a manner thatthe ejector is completely swung out before the breech-block has reachedits lowermost position. The upper ends of the ejector are provided withhook-shaped projections m which can swing into notches c in the breechblock when the breech block is near its lowermost position. By means ofa lever m (Figs. 1 to 5), which is secured on the shaft m of theejector, the ejector can be swung out by hand when the breech blockassumes the position shown in Fig. 9.

That end of the shaft E of the operating levers which projects outsideof the breech of the gun-barrel carries a hollow trunnion 6* (Figs. 1, 3and 6) and a disk 6 which is provided with a handle 6 On the side towardthe breech the disk 6 is provided with a notch 6 (Figs. 2 and 6) intowhich can enter one arm G of a two-armed lever G G (Fig. 6), which isjournaled in the breech and which is under the action of a spring 9 Theother arm G of the twoarmed lever is adapted to cooperate with a strikerprovided on the cradle B. When the gun-barrel is in firing position thearm G lies against the outer side of the striker (Figs. 1 and 2). Thestriker b and the lever arm G are provided with inclined faces 6 and '9through the medium of which the lever G G can be turned by the strikerduring the counter-recoil of the gun-barrel.

A bolt H is mounted in the handle 6 of the disk 6 in such a manner thatthe bolt can move radially relative to the axis of rotation of the disk.By means of a spring hi the bolt H is pressed against the periphery of adrum J and the bolt is capable of snapping into a notch 2' in the drum(Figs. 5 to 7). The bolt H is provided with a nose 71. and through thecooperation of the nose [1 with an inclined striker a on the breech ofthe gun-barrel the bolt can again be withdrawn from the notch 2' Throughthe medium of a hollow trunnion i the drum is loosely rotatablyjournaled in the hollow trunnion e of the shaft E of the operatinglevers (Figs. 3 and 6) and the drum serves for receiving a volute springL which effects the closing of the closure. The spring L, which has itsouter end engaging in the cylindrical wall of the drum J and has itsinner end engaging in the hollow trunnion e of the shaft E of theoperating levers (Fig. 1), is under initial tension in such. a mannerthat it tends to turn the operating levers D in the direction of thearrow 00 (Fig. 1) and tends to turn the drum J in the oppositedirection. The rotation of the operating levers D is limited by theabutment of the lugs (Z against the rear wall of the opening of thebreech 1). While the operating levers assume this position, that iswhile the closure is closed and locked, the notch 6 of the disk 6 islocated opposite the lever arm G so that the arm G can enter intoengagement with the notch 6 (Figs. 2 and 6). A weight 2' the purpose ofwhich will presently be explained is lo cated on the cylindrical wall ofthe drum J. The weight is arranged in such a manner that, when the drumis in the position of rest (Fig. 1), the center of gravity of the drumis located below the axis of rotation of the drum.

To the hollow trunnion i of the drum J is nonrotatably connected a shaft0 (Fig. 8) which passes through the hollow shaft- E of the operatinglevers and terminates on the other side of the breech where its end isformed as a drum N which contains a volute spring P which effects theopen ing of the closure. The outer end of the opening spring P engagesin the cylindrical wall of the drum N and its inner end engages in ahollow trunnion g which surrounds the shaft O. The trunnion is locatedon a disk Q which is non-rotatably connected with the breech of thegun-barrel. The opening spring P is under initial tension in such amanner that it tends to turn the drum N in the same direction (oppositethe direction of the arrow :12, Fig. 1) as the closing spring L tends toturn the drum J. A stop 64 which is arranged on the breech and locatedin the path of movement of a stop 77, on the drum N (see especially Fig.2), serves for limiting the rotary movement of the drum N and the drum Jwhich is non-rOtatably connected therewith.

the operating levers D. During the first part of the recoil movement theinertia causes the drum J to turn in the direction of the arrow as (Fig.1), as the center of gravity of the drum is located beneath the axis ofrotation of the drum due to the presence of the weight i and through themedium of the hollow trunnion i and the shaft 0 the turning movement ofthe drum J is partaken of by the drum N. The result is that tension isimparted to the springs L and P. When the drum J has reached theposition shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the bolt H snaps into the notch 2' inthe drum J. The drums J and N are then coupled to the disk 6 and theshaft E of the operating levers through the medium of the bolt H and thenotch 6 The parts remain in the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 duringthe further recoil and during the greater part of the counter-recoil. Achange in this position by expansion of the springs L and P is preventedby the engagement of the arm G of the two-armed lever G G in the notch 6of the disk 6 Shortly before the counter-recoil is completed the arm Gof the two-armed lever G- G slides with its inclined face g along theinclined face 25 of the striker b on the cradle (see the positionindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6) so that the two-armed lever G G isturned against the action of the spring 9 and the arm G is brought outofengagement with the notch 6 The opening spring P is therefore now freeto expand and through the medium of the drum N, the shaft 0, the drum J,the coupling H 2' and the disk 6 the spring P turns the shaft E and theoperating levers D in the direction opposite to the arrow 00 (Fig. 1) sothat the closure is opened. YVhilethis takes place the closing springretains its tension because the parts (the hollow trunnion c and thedrum J) in which the spring L engages are non-rotatably connected withone another by the disk 6 and the coupling H i so that they turn to thesame extent when the opening spring P expands. Toward the end of theopening movement of the breech block the shoulders (2 on the breechblock C hit the noses m on the ejector M, thereby suddenly turning theejector in the direction of the arrow y (Fig. 5).

The empty shell is thus ejected. WVhen the breech block has reached theposition shown in Fig. 7, the hook-shaped projections m of the ejectorhave swung into the notches c in the breech block, and the nose [2, onthe bolt H is about to cooperate with the in clined striker a on thebreech of the gun barrel. During the further descent of the breechblock, that is when the parts pass from the position shown in Fig. 7 tothe position shown in Fig. 8, the cooperation of the nose k with thestriker a causes the bolt H to be withdrawn from the notch 2' in thedrum J. The upper end wall of the groove 0* then abuts against the boltF and the stop a on the drum N abuts against the stop a (Fig. 8). Byreason of the disengagement of the coupling H 2' the closing spring Lhas become free and it turns shaft E of the operating levers and thehandle 6 in the direction of the arrow 2: (Fig. 8) and elevates thebreech block. These movements are, however, immediately interruptedbecause the lower wall of the notches c of the breech block hits thehook-shaped projections m of the ejector. At that moment the parts ofthe closure assume the posit-ion shown in Fig. 9, which is the loadingposition. If loading now takes place the ejector M is swung out by thebase-rim of the cartridge shell to such an extent that the projections mon the ejector pass out of engagement with the notches c in the breechblock. There is now nothing to prevent the closing spring L fromexpanding. While the drums J and N are held in position by the stop cf,the shaft E of the operating levers is turned by the expanding closingspring in the direction of the arrow at (Fig. 9) and the operatinglevers effect the closing of the closure. When the closure is closed theparts again assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. If the closureis to be closed without previous loading the operator brings theprojections m of the ejector out of engagement with the notches c of thebreech block by turning the ejector M through the medium of the lever m.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a recoil gun, the combination of the gun barrel and its closure,of an accumulator for eflecting the automatic movement of the closure,said accumulator being arranged on the gun barrel and having a partmoved by inertia to tension the accumulator when the gun barrel movesafter firing.

2-. In a recoil gun, the combination with the gun-barrel and itsclosure, of an accumulator adapted to eifect automatic movement of theclosure, said accumulator comprising a volute spring and a part forimparting tension to said spring, said part being rotatably arranged onthe gun-barrel and having its center of gravity located eccentric to itsaxis of rotation, whereby said part is rotated by inertia to imparttension to the spring when the gun-barrel moves after firing.

3. In a recoil gun, the combination with the gun-barrel, its closure andthe operating shaft for the closure, of a pair of accumulators for theautomatic movement of the closure, arranged one on each side of thegun-barrel, one being adapted to open the closure and the other beingadapted to close the closure, each of said accumulators comprising avolute spring and a drum for imparting tension to the spring, the springof one accumulator having its inner end secured to the gun-barrel andhaving its outer end secured to the drum, and the spring of the otheraccumulator having its inner end secured to the operating shaft andhaving its outer end secured to the drum, and means connecting saiddrums and preventing relative rotation of the drums.

4:. In a recoil gun, the combination with the gun-barrel, its closureand the operating shaft for the closure, of a pair of accumulators forthe automatic movement of the closure, arranged one on each side of thegun barrel, one being adapted to open the closure and the other beingadapted to close the closure, each of said accumulators comprising avolute spring and a drum for imparting tension to the spring, the springof one accumulator having its inner end secured to the gun-barrel andhaving its outer end secured to the drum, the spring of the otheraccumulator having its inner end secured to the operating shaft andhaving its outer end secured to the drum, and a shaft connected with thefirst named drum and passing through and adapted to have cou plingengagement with said operating shaft and holding said drums againstrelative rotation.

5. An accumulator for imparting automatic movement to gun closurescomprising a volute spring, a rotatable drum, and a weight carried bysaid drum and so disposed that the center of gravity of the drum islocated eccentric to the axis of rotation thereof; said weight beingoperable through its inertia on the recoil of the gun barrel to tensionsaid spring.

6. In a recoil-gun, the combination with the gun-barrel, its closure andthe operating shaft for the closure, of a pair of accumulators for theautomatic movement of the closure, arranged one on each side of thegun-barrel, one being adapted to open the closure and the other beingadapted to close the closure, each of said accumulators comprising avolute spring and a drum for imparting tension to the spring, the springof one accumulator having its inner end securedto the gun-barrel andhaving its'outer end secured tothedrum andthe spring'of the otheraccumulator having its inner end secured to the operating shaft andhaving its outer end secured to the drum, and means connecting saiddrums and preventing relative rotation of the drums, one of said drumsbeing provided .uiith a Weight causing the center of gravity of the drumto be located eccentric to the axis of rotation of the drum.

7 In a recoil-gun, the combination With the gun barrel, its closure andthe operating shaft for the closure, of a pair ofaccumulators for theautomatic movement of the closure, arranged one on each side of thegun-barrel, one being adapted to open-the closure andvthe other beingadapted to close the closure, each of said accumulators comprising avolute springhand a'drum for imparting tension to the spring, the springof one accumulator having its inner end secureditothe gun-barrelandhaving its outer end secured to the drum, and the spring of the otheraccumulator having its inner end secured to the operating shaft andhaving its-outer end secured to the drum, means connecting said drumsand preventing relative rotation ofthe drums, and means preventingpremature rotation of the operating shaft in the direction to open theclosure, comprising a retaining lever arranged on the gun-barrel, saidlever being adapted to enter into engagement With the operating shaft atthe commencement of the recoil,

and a member arranged on a relatively fixed part of the gun and adaptedto Withdraw said lever fromthe operating shaft shortly before thecompletion of the counter-recoil.

The foregoingspecification signed at Hanover,Germany, this 17 day ofJune, 1909. MAX HERMSDORF. In presence of E. T. HUTOHINGS, LUISE KATHER.

Copies of this .patent maybe 'obtaine'd for'five centseach, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 'D. G.

